Spring is here, and summer will indeed come again. Here at the Questa Creative Council, we are busy getting ready to feature and nurture local talent.

First off, our ever-popular Ceramic Cafe will begin its spring session on Thursday, April 10, with open studio hours from 5 to 9 p.m., and will continue through May 29 in the Art Room at the Youth & Family Center. Come play with clay! Master ceramicist Anna Fuenning welcomes beginners as well as experienced clay artists. All materials and tools are provided for free, although donations are most welcome and are required for those creating a volume of works. Sessions will start with a focus on hand-building and continue on to cover glazing practices. For more info, reach out to Anna at (402) 525-7485 or email QuestaCreativeCouncil@gmail.com.

In June, an exciting new event for us will be held, in collaboration with the Red River Chamber of Commerce. During “Vino in the Valley,” from June 13 to 15, QCC Art Tour artists are being offered free tent space to show and sell their work. Alongside this will be several individual tables that our artists may rent at much reduced rates of from $125-150 for two to three days. This prime exhibition space will be a terrific location for foot traffic and is a fabulous chance to attract new customers and collectors to our artists’ work! Contact us if you are interested in being there.

Look for us also at the Questa Fiestas, where we hope to host an interactive arts activity for our local kiddies! Can you help with this? Do contact us!

But first, another June focus on the arts will be Questa Public Library’s summer reading program. This year’s theme is “Color Our World.” All of you public-spirited creatives out there are invited to contact Library Director Sharon Nicholson to see how you can inspire the next generation of Questa creatives. The summer reading program is held on Tuesdays and Fridays, from June 6 through July 18. Until our library is repaired, you may email questions to library@villageofquesta.org.

Then, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9 through 10, our village will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Questa Art Tour! Many local businesses have stepped up to sponsor this event for you. Our grant writer has spent hours and hours obtaining support for the many expenses involved, and our advertising campaign is once again targeting guests ready to visit and buy art. While some businesses in our downtown are closing, others are opening or changing hands, so we will be hosting some of our artists in new venues, plus adding venues on the northernmost reaches of the tour. The time is now to get your artist application in! The deadline is May 1. The rate is still half of what most studio tours charge, at $60.

On-time registration guarantees your inclusion in our glossy map-brochure and individual publicity in our social media campaign. Applications can be downloaded from our website at QuestaCreative.org, or hard copies can be picked up at Rael’s Store & Coffee Shop. We are here to support you, so please contact us with any questions at (575) 586-5658 or email us at QuestaCreativeCouncil@gmail.com.

The year 2025 may feel tumultuous for our country at large, but one thing is certain: Here in Questa, we support each other and work diligently to share what is best about our beautiful and talented village!

Ceramic Cafe Spring Session
Date:
Thursdays, April 10 – May 29, 2025
Time:
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location:
Art Room at the Youth & Family Center, Questa, NM
Contact:
Anna Fuenning,
(402) 525-7485
QuestaCreativeCouncil@gmail.com